Programme structure
The master's degree is 120 ECTS credits.
The master's degree consists of the following parts, corresponding to 2 years full-time study:
- 80 credits obligatory courses (including the master’s thesis)
- 40 credits of elective courses
The programme is offered in both English and Norwegian. Courses will be taught in English if there are students registered who cannot speak Norwegian.
Recommended structure
| 4. semester | LING4190 – Master's Thesis in Linguistics or LING4195 – Master's thesis in linguistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | LING4190 – Master's Thesis in Linguistics or ILN4900 – Project Semester for Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies or ILN4950 – Research project semester for Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | Elective courses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | LING4140 – Linguistic Method | Elective courses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recommended structure for students who started in 2021 or earlier
| 4. semester | LING4190 – Master's Thesis in Linguistics or LING4195 – Master's thesis in linguistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | LING4190 – Master's Thesis in Linguistics or ILN4900 – Project Semester for Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies or ILN4950 – Research project semester for Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | LING4140 – Linguistic Method | Elective courses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | LING4101 – The Theory of Science in Linguistics | Elective courses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The first year consists of 60 ECTS coursework. There are two compulsory courses on theory and method that are common to all students in the programme.
In the second year, students write a 60-credit master's thesis. There are many exciting possibilities for choosing a topic for your master's thesis.
Previous theses cover topics in, for example, phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, language change and code-switching, with data from, for example, Norwegian, Spanish, Russian, and languages in Africa and the Pacific region. Several of the theses have formed the basis for journal articles and conference presentations.
Obligatory courses
- LING4101 – The Theory of Science in Linguistics
- LING4140 – Linguistic Method
- LING4190 – Master's Thesis in Linguistics (60 studiepoeng) or either ILN4900 – Project Semester for Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies or ILN4950 – Research project semester for Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies and LING4195 – Master's thesis in linguistics
At least 20 credits are chosen from the courses listed below
- MULTI4110 – Introduction to Statistical Analysis for Language Students
- LING4111 – Phonetics and Phonology 2
- LING4120 – Linguistics Specialization on Meaning
- LING4130 – Linguistics Specialization on variation
- LING4160 – Linguistics Specialization on cognition
- LING4170 – Linguistics Specialization on Structure and Form
- LING4181 – Supervised Reading in Linguistics
Up to 20 credits in the degree may be taken in subjects other than those mentioned above if relevant for the master's thesis and approved by the Linguistics teaching coordinator.
You must apply separately for this, using this online application form. Any questions can be addressed to the study advisor for linguistics.
Diploma and degree
The diploma is issued when you have completed the courses that meet the requirements for a degree. Read more about diplomas.
Course and semester pages
Click on each course (see table above) to find out:
- Schedule
- Time and place for the exam
- Syllabus and learning requirements
Quality assurance
Study programs and courses are regularly evaluated to ensure and develop the quality of educational activities.